Long run nutrition/energy food? (Read 1664 times)

At some health food, stores even some specialty grocery stores you buy a pound of nuts and grind it into peanut butter right on the spot. Can't get much purer than that!

True..but I have an idea where Joni lives and don't believe there is that much access to this type of food, plus, I would hold that almonds are better food to eat than peanuts...not superior...just better...

True..but I have an idea where Joni lives and don't believe there is that much access to this type of food, plus, I would hold that almonds are better food to eat than peanuts...not superior...just better...

We do have about 3 health food stores around here, and then if you want to travel a bit I'm sure you could find more, especially in the Grand Rapids area. I *had* a bag of almonds, but they seem to have disappeared! So I'll be picking some up when I'm at the store, as well as some of these: Maybe it'll distract my stomach enough ....if not, it'll be fun trying!!

oh baby... orange sport beans now that is it.. I have tried the lemon lime ones... and they did the trick for me... I like them... I ran a 15k in sept that had no sports drink and I felt I needed just a little kick of electrolytes and sugar... Orange is my favorite flavor for anything... so I'm off to the internet to order me some up... I took organic jelly beans with me on my long run on sat... and I liked them... but if I was sweating more I think I would want the electrolytes... so sport beans it is... thanks!

Great suggestions! I had forgotten about Fig Newtons (I would think the other fruit flavors would be good, too...mmm...loves me some raspberry Newtons)! I like the filled pretzel idea, too--plus that would help with any sodium loss. So is there really not much benefit to those actual "sports nutrition" bars? More $$ than they're worth...? I wonder if some of my hunger issues are weight-loss related. I tend to increase my carbs and calories considerably a day or two before each long run, but for the rest of the week tend to keep things fairly low (trying to average 1600-1800 calories/day over the course of a week). Training for a longish race AND losing weight is tough. k

Zoom-zoom, I would go with Zone Perfect bars (http://www.zoneperfect.com/). They taste great and have a not-too-high-not-too-low sugar level. I am thinking Fig Newtons may not go down to easily if you're really thirsty...

I wonder if some of my hunger issues are weight-loss related. I tend to increase my carbs and calories considerably a day or two before each long run, but for the rest of the week tend to keep things fairly low (trying to average 1600-1800 calories/day over the course of a week). Training for a longish race AND losing weight is tough.

I just reread that. What do you eat in a typical day?

Friday I am planning what will be my longest run yet. I will likely be going 14.5-15 miles and am planning to run for over 2.5 hours. Thus far for my runs of 2.5 hours or less I have taken 1-2 GU pouches and some diluted Gatorade in the Camelbak, but I'm thinking I might want something with a bit more "substance" as my runs approach 3 hours. Are there particular energy/meal bars that anyone can recommend? Something that will give me fairly rapid energy, but also keep my stomach occupied--I HATE running when my tummy starts growling. k

Hi...so I take the Gu for energy but not so much for the 'tummy growling' thing. Definately try tweaking your pre-run foods. Also, maybe start sippin' water/gatorade a little sooner than you normally do but just little sips to kind of keep something in your stomach. I use Gu & recently Jelly Belly things but I find once I start using it - I have to keep it up every 1/2hr or I have a big dip in energy. On that note - I used to do 3 sometimes 4 Gu for a marathon but found it caused the bowel to act a little crazy! Nowadays I take a Gu at 15-16 and one more at 20-21, that seems to be the perfect amount for me. The beauty of 'training' runs is you CAN experiment. Some of your ideas were good & would probably work but it comes down to the whole portability thing. Hey, during the race if your hubby can hand you a rice krispie treat a couple times so you don't have to carry them - Mmmmmmmmm! Perfect! Just have him hand you a baby wipe too so your fingers don't stick to your ipod! Keep on training! Kelly

Protein! Protein WILL help - you won't get that hungry feeling. I can never seem to get enough from my food sources so I do a shake with protein powder & soy milk - one glass 20GM & I feel full for 2 hours even if I only do that one drink (not that I use it instead of food). I just read this last night in Runner's World : 'A 165lb runner needs between 75-120 GM protein daily.' That is a lot more than 'non-runners'. I round it off to 75-100 according to size/wgt but you get the picture. When I'm busy @ work - I tend to do terrible with this and I feel it. It stinks! So hard to have the perfect balance.

I loves me some protein...I'm quite the carnivore (I probably get at least 75 grams in the average day). I definitely make a point after longer runs to get protein into me pretty fast. I'm intrigued by the sports drinks that contain protein, too...though I worry about stomach issues. I think I might have to try one of those pretty soon on a long run.